Soar In Colorado’s Eagles Nest Wilderness

Gain a raptor's-eye view of the world in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness.

by Ted Stedman

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QUICK TAKE: Eagles Nest Wilderness, CO

DRIVE TIME: The trailhead is 92 miles (13/4 hours) west of Denver.

THE WAY: From Silverthorne, drive north 16 miles on CO 9 to County Road 30, turn left, and head 5.3 miles to Cataract Creek Road (Forest Road #1725). Turn left and continue 2.5 miles to Surprise trailhead.

TRAILS/MILEAGE: Nineteen trails cover 180 miles within the wilderness. The 11-mile out-and-back hike to Upper Cataract Lake takes the Surprise Trail (#62) to the Gore Range Trail (#60) and its junction with Upper Cataract Trail (#63). For a strenuous but spectacular 24-mile ridgetop trek, continue to the Elliott Ridge Trail (#1889). Hike north to Forest Road 1831, then descend to the trailhead via the Gore Range Trail and Eaglesmere Trail (#61).

ELEVATION: The lowest point on the circuit described is the Surprise trailhead

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